Eureka tents...or others?

[Roverlady]

We are in the market for a big, relatively cheap, tent to use mostly once a year at MAR. This is NOT a backpacking tent. This is something we can live in for a few days and put away until the next year.

My only requirements:
full rain fly
12x10 or larger
at least 6' high in the center

I've looked at Campmor and found some great deals. We are leaning towards a Eureka. However, I can get a Coleman for about $100 less--the same size or larger. We will seam seal ANYTHING we buy, no matter the brand. I'm just wondering if it's worth the extra cash for something so similar. I know Eureka USED to be a good brand, but I'm wondering if they are comparable now that they are mass marketed.

Suggestions?

 

[apg]

I've got one that you may be interested in...I've never used it and I could schlep it to the MAR for ya'.

I've been a fan of Eurekas for a while - not for backpacking tent tho'. Used the same, canvas Eureka 10 by 10 from 1970 through until a year or so ago. Bought a 10 by 12 Eureka to replace the one my wife bought on line from Cabelas - the one that was never used and is now for sale.

It's 10 by 12 with a screen pavillion out front. The drawback (for me) is that it has a mesh or screen roof which is great for summertime camping, but not so good for fall or winter. Of course, it has a waterproof rain fly. Never used, 'cept to set it up once in the backyard. I think it was $149 or so. A c-note takes it....

Cheers

 

[The Limey]

Eureka...still worthy...
I have an Assault Outfitter 4 tent....4 season and almost milspec

 

[EValP]

I think Eureka makes good tents. I own 2 Eureka tents, one large summer shelter and one 3 season tent, they are great.

I don't prefer them for 4 season tents but if your are primarily looking for a warm weather tent for occasional use, You will be very happy with Eureka.

I have not owned a Coleman for sometime, but I found that they were a bit hard to put together. My Eureka's are easy to put up.

 

[benlittle]

I believe they make OK tents. I've researched quite a few of them and found most of them to be awkward in some way. Mostly poor zipper / rain fly design. Those were the backpacking tents though.

Just remember, you get what you pay for and when you have poles snapping and flys leaking. You'll wish you'd bought the $1-200 more tent. Been there, done that.

 

[DiscoPhun]

REI makes a great non-backpacking tent (Hobitat 6) with a 6'8" center for standing. Its an expensive tent but worth the back aches.

rei.com

 

[chris snell]

I love my Eureka tent. I've had it for almost 10 years. I have a North Face Expedition 25 that sits unused in the closet. I can set the Eureka up in less than three minutes and it has plenty of room for me and a dog. That said, my tent is not a good tent for heavy rain or winter. It has screen mesh near the tops of roof and wind-blown rain or snow will sneak up through these. I'll probably pick up a 3-4 season Marmot tent for those trips that could get nasty.

Chris

 

[mastercamper]

I have a two man Eureka,its great, has the bath tub floor, holds up in the rain and snow, I've seen a few of them camping at the outer banks, as long as its not a "cabin" tent will hold up good in the wind.

 

[SCSL]

REI stuff is awesome.

Problem w/ the Coleman stuff that I've seen is small rain fly; not full-length.

Also check out LL Bean. They make some good tents. (or, I should say the sell some good tents -- not sure who makes 'em)

 

[JeffM]

I've got a four season Eureka - K2XT. So far no problems with it. I've spent quite a few nights in it up in the mountains of NH in the winter with no problems at all. Seems pretty bomb proof and I'd venture to say at least as good as the 4 season north face tents.

Of course if you want to go the whole hog - get a Hilleberg - I've got a Nallo GT. Thing is built like a tank

For big tents I'm sure the Eurekas are pretty damn good - although I would be wary of any models that have fiberglass poles.

Jeff

 

[benlittle]

IMO Eureka is making ok tents. BUT, it depends on what you're using it for. My favorite tent so far is my little The North Face Tadpole. IT's a two person but I use it as a one man. Free standing, large vestibule and enough room for me and my gear when backpacking.

For winter, The Northface Himalayan 47 or my 25. Both are bombproof. Mountain Hardware makes super nice tents too.

My next tent will be a single wall... Probably Bibler.

 

[post]

This summer when I did some hiking one of the guys I went with had the Eureka Solitair which was a nice tent compared to my cheapie tent that leaked when it rained and hailed on us.

Eurekas going to be my next choice since it's somewhat affordable compared to Northface,MSR, or Marmot.

 

[benlittle]

Eurekas going to be my next choice since it's somewhat affordable compared to Northface,MSR, or Marmot.

You get what you pay for

But... I guess your sig says it all.

 

[post]

well i'm not going to run out and spend 300-400 on a tent that i'm going to use 1-2 a year. eureka is a proven tent and just because it cost a fraction of the cost of the others doesn't make it any less of a tent, the only things those tents might have over eureka is few ounces lighter.

yeah and your right, i don't care about the stupid stuff in life.

just my opinion.

 

[JackW]

A few years ago I bought a 4-man tent from Galyans for around $150 that was real easy to set up but the rain fly doesn't go all the way down the sides. The 2005 MAR provided living proof that it wasn't meant for two days of sideways rain. The best tent in our group has always been Ross's Cabela dome Alaskan Guide tent - its a pain to put up but the ground underneath it was dry after MAR 2005.

I've always had good luck with Eureka tents in the past and my wife and I like to shop at yard sales. This past spring I found an unused 6-man Eureka Equinox tent at a yard sale that I paid $20 for. It stayed perfectly dry inside throughout MAR 2006.
A friend of mine also bought a 4-man tent at a yard sale for about $15 - if you have the time and patience you can buy most of your camping gear at yard sales in the spring.

 

[JeffM]

IMO Eureka is making ok tents. BUT, it depends on what you're using it for. My favorite tent so far is my little The North Face Tadpole. IT's a two person but I use it as a one man. Free standing, large vestibule and enough room for me and my gear when backpacking.

For winter, The Northface Himalayan 47 or my 25. Both are bombproof. Mountain Hardware makes super nice tents too.

My next tent will be a single wall... Probably Bibler.

North Face has been going downhill for quite a while. We tested out the Himalayan 47 and it was nowhere near as sturdy/good/whatever as the original Himalayan Hotel - not much of a fan of the mountain 25 either - If you want to go four+ season then Mountain Hardware are pretty good, the 4+ season tents from Eureka are about on par (actually we found slightly better) than the North Face.

My own personal choice for 4+ season would be either the Hillebergs or the Helsports

http://www.helsport.no/EN/default.asp?ID=8335&G=847&P=838

http://www.hilleberg.com/Catalog/nallo_3_gt_926339.htm

For single wall tents - Biblers' are pretty good.

 

[t77911s]

LL Bean tents? Any experience with those???

 

[nosivad_bor]

i like that REI one hobitat 6. good for car camping MAR style


http://www.rei.com/product/745759

 

[deeker]

I still use a 2-man (actually one man, one woman) Eureka Haida Loft that is about 12 years old. It has been out every year, in every kind of weather except heavy snow. It has performed flawlessly, is light weight and has two vestibules, full tub floor and a to-the-ground fly.

I have no idea how their stuff is these days, but I stand by their old stuff.

For the MAR (Mud And Rain) I would suggest one that is easy to set up and has points to tether it to the ground, your bumper, a port-a-potty, etc...

 

[antichrist]

:rofl: What's with all the backpacking tent comments?

We are in the market for a big, relatively cheap, tent to use mostly once a year at MAR. This is NOT a backpacking tent. This is something we can live in for a few days and put away until the next year.

My only requirements:
full rain fly
12x10 or larger
at least 6' high in the cente

Eureka makes nice cabin tents and they are worth the money. Speaking from personal experience.
Check Dick's Sporting Goods (formerly Galyans) for prices too. The house brand tents are made by Eureka, at least some are. Nut Campmor does have great prices usually.

If you're using it at MAR, I suggest smaller windows and a non-mesh roof. My experience has been it's been colder there more than it's been warm.

The main drawback to most cabin tents is that the fly doesn't come low enough if there's heavy blowing rain. You will probably want a large tarp that you can pull down over the sides as a backup defense.